2:20–Wrigley Field, ChicagoPhil Dumatrait (1-1, 3.96) vs. Jason Marquis (1-3, 5.26)[GameTrax]————————Wouldn’t it be great to……1. Come back to Pittsburgh at .500?2. Win a series, against the Cubs, at Wrigley?3. Win 2 series against teams at the top of the division on a 6 game road trip to start of a stretch of 22 divisional opponents?4. Snap this mildy annoying trend of getting 1 game within .500 and then losing?———Yes, yes, yes, and yes. All that is accomplished if the Bucs find a way to win today.—Phil Dumatrait is on the mound. The Pirates have not lost a game he’s started yet since he took over for Morris. He’s 1-1 overall this year with a 3.96 ERA. He continues to exceed Pirate fans’ expectations time and time again. He pitched well in relief against the Cubs in some of the recent massacres. You could make an argument that he’s our BEST STARTING PITCHER RIGHT NOW.What’s not to like about having him on the mound today?–I’m not really sure, but Cubs fans aren’t believers yet. [Bleed Cubbie Blue]:

Phil Dumatrait was pretty horrendous for last year’s Reds, who let him go. And then he was bad in relief early this year for the Pirates. Since he’s been moved to the rotation he’s 1-0, 4.02 in three starts, which includes one good start, one mediocre one and one bad one. [...] The Cubs ought to eat this guy for breakfast and lunch.———-C’mon, Phil, prove ‘em wrong. You’ve already done that to plenty of Pirates fans this year.—For the Cubs, it’s Jason Marquis. He has been bad, with the exception of a good start in the Wrigley Massacre I witnessed (the 13-1 game) against our Pirates. That’s his only win. Besides that, not pretty.——The game is on both FSN Pittsburgh and WGN today, so most of you should be able to see it regardless of where you live.–Win another one.———I almost forgot. Here’s a great pic of Marte’s insane play yesterday, courtesy [Bleed Cubbie Blue]:What a play.——Pens try and clinch a Stanley Cup berth at 3 today.–Go Buccos.